Seattle Sounders at DC United - Gamethread

Young coach Ben Olsen knows exactly how good D.C. United were. His goal this season is to start to bring them back to that historic level, a level that was killed off when the Seattle Sounders FC showed that RFK is a great place to win trophies on the road. Over these three years when the teams have gone head to head Seattle collected a 3-1-0 +2 Goal Differential in the other Washington.

Sigi Schmid will still be dealing with some injuries, but should have a potent bench as players like Eddie Johnson and Mauro Rosales are able to get some time without starting. The Sounders will likely even go flatter on their backline in order to defend the quite potent attack from United. The battle between Osvaldo Alonso and Dwayne De Rosario will likely determine how successful the Rave Green defense is.

For United, they will start the match facing a diminished Seattle side. How they react as Sigi is able to bring on different styles of players to open up play could determine the defense from the Black & Red. Fredy Montero and David Estrada will be facing a centerback duo that practiced together all week, but are not first choice. Perry Kitchen will likely drop back a bit since Brad Evans gets forward in late runs and Montero would cut apart Jakovic and Dudar. Fine passing between the folding in Alvaro Fernandez and Estrada/Montero should open up some attacks. Particularly look for one of Seattle's forwards to cut to the left when Flaco tucks inside.

The Sounders have the statistical advantage in Duels, Shots, Passing Advantage and Possession, but when adjusted for home field advantage Sagarin sees a tiny edge to United. Numbers say this should be a road draw or one goal Seattle win.

The game is on KONG 6/16 & KIRO 97.3 FM (also KOMO2 & 99.3 for Spanish) at 4:30 PM Pacific.

Pre Match Build-up: Three Questions | Scouting Report | Lineup Card

Team Statistics Matchups

Compiled from Opta data for all available matches - Duels and possession are typical. Passing advantage is a plus/minus figure comparing the team's pass completion rate to the team it opposes. A 10 for Seattle would mean that it averages a 10 point advantage in passing over the opponent. Shot +/- is the team stat.

Tactical Keys

• Track DeRo
• Beware Of Young United Flanks
• Montero Magic
• Switch Ball Through Middle

Player Matchups

• Osvaldo Alonso v Dwayne De Rosario
• Christian Sivebaek v Daniel Woolard
• Fredy Montero v Perry Kitchen

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